1 Kings 13:8

But the man of God replied, “If you were to give me half your possessions, I still would not go with you, nor would I eat bread or drink water in this place.

Berean Standard Bible

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Study note

Setting — The man of God addresses the king of Israel immediately after the king offers him lodging, a meal, and a financial reward. He responds to the invitation before citing the specific divine prohibition against eating or drinking in that place.

The words — The Hebrew phrase אִם תִּתֵּן (im titen) literally means "if you will give," framing the king's offer as a hypothetical condition. The designation אִישׁ הָאֱלֹהִים ('ish ha'elohim) identifies the speaker strictly by his divine commission rather than by personal identity.

The thread — This refusal of wealth parallels the declarations in Numbers 22:18 and Numbers 24:13, where no amount of silver or gold can override a divine command. It also mirrors the stance taken in Exodus 5:3, where obedience to God supersedes royal demands.

Why it lands — The text states that prophetic obedience functions independently of material incentive or political pressure. A reader must acknowledge that divine commands establish operational boundaries that human offers cannot legally or morally alter.

Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.

The Hebrew words

King James Version

And the man of God said unto the king, If thou wilt give me half thine house, I will not go in with thee, neither will I eat bread nor drink water in this place:

Cross-references

Numbers 24:13 that even if Balak were to give me his house full of silver and gold, I could not do anything of my own accord, good or bad, to go beyond the command of the LORD? I must speak whatever the LORD says.
Numbers 22:18 But Balaam replied to the servants of Balak, “If Balak were to give me his house full of silver and gold, I could not do anything small or great to go beyond the command of the LORD my God.
Exodus 5:3 “The God of the Hebrews has met with us,” they answered. “Please let us go on a three-day journey into the wilderness to sacrifice to the LORD our God, or He may strike us with plagues or with the sword.”
Exodus 5:6 That same day Pharaoh commanded the taskmasters of the people and their foremen:
Exodus 7:2 You are to speak all that I command you, and your brother Aaron is to tell Pharaoh to let the Israelites go out of his land.
1 Kings 13:16 But the man replied, “I cannot go home with you, and I will not eat bread or drink water with you in this place.
2 Kings 5:16 But Elisha replied, “As surely as the LORD lives, before whom I stand, I will not accept it.” And although Naaman urged him to accept it, he refused.
2 Kings 5:26 But Elisha questioned him, “Did not my spirit go with you when the man got down from his chariot to meet you? Is this the time to accept money and clothing, olive groves and vineyards, sheep and oxen, menservants and maidservants?
Mark 6:11 If anyone will not welcome you or listen to you, shake the dust off your feet when you leave that place, as a testimony against them.”
Mark 6:23 And he swore to her, “Whatever you ask of me, I will give you, up to half my kingdom!”